Brilliant Mary Fowler at the double in key Man City win

The Matildas star has rarely demonstrated the full panoply of her gifts so far in her two years in a City shirt but, with star striker Khadija Shaw out with long-term injury, the Australian chose the perfect time to make sure the WSL's leading scorer wasn't missed in the 4-0 victory at Bristol City.

Fowler's second-half double, which condemned Bristol City to relegation, helped propel City six points clear of champions Chelsea in the title race - and with a superior goal difference by seven over the Blues, who do still have two games in hand.

For her own career with City, though, her outstanding player-of-the-match display at Ashton Gate felt like a significant moment for Fowler, who has found it difficult to nail down a starting spot in the star-studded team despite her obvious array of skills.

City did miss their 21-goal ace Shaw as Fowler's excellent creative work, with fine runs and crosses from both flanks, didn't find the finishes they merited.

So, having failed to break down Bristol's defence in the first hour, Fowler evidently decided to take matters into her own hands.

Finding a bit of space outside the box in the 62nd minute, she marauded forward unchecked and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot strike, the like of which she's pulled off for the Matildas but not perviously in England.

"I've been having some shocking shots in training so I just hoped that one was going to go on target," she told Sky Sports with a smile afterwards.

Thirteen minutes later, she made it 2-0 - and with a centre-forward's goal that Shaw would have been proud of, ghosting in ahead of her marker and expertly sliding home Lauren Hemp's cross from the right.

With City now able to relax after her two strikes, they ended up grabbing two more, one courtesy of Amy Rodgers' awful own goal and the other an Alex Greenwood header with the final touch of the match.

For the 21-year-old, it was a landmark afternoon. "It feels really good to get more game time. I try to bring my best to the team and having been on the side for a while I just try to stay focused in training and be a good teammate on the side," said Fowler.

Bristol City's defeat means they return to the Championship after one season in the top flight and guarantees the safety of Mackenzie Arnold's West Ham, who had earlier grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

The slim title hopes of a third-placed Arsenal side featuring Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord took a potentially fatal blow as they could only draw 1-1 at Everton, with a 16-year-old Issy Hobson scoring the stoppage-time equaliser for the home side.

"It's the best feeling ever," swooned the youngster.

Manchester United striker Ella Toone came off the bench to grab the only goal of the game in a win over Leicester City as they remained fourth.

In the second-tier Women's Championship, Crystal Palace were promoted to the top flight following a goalless draw against Sunderland.

Australian Associated Press